• Further power cuts may be unnecessary  
• Any PUCSL probe into outage per NSO probe outcome  

The Lakvijaya coal Power Plant in Norochcholai is expected to resume electricity generation today (22), potentially eliminating the need for scheduled power cuts across the country, the National System Operator (NSO) has stated.A nationwide power outage occurred on 17 October following an imbalance in the national electricity system. Subsequently, the suspension of operations at the Plant necessitated island-wide power cuts over the past two days. The scheduled power cuts continued yesterday (21), in line with the existing arrangements.However, the NSO indicated that the Plant could be reconnected to the national grid from today. If operations resume as anticipated, the need for scheduled power cuts may be eliminated, according to an NSO spokesperson.Meanwhile, the Electricity Consumers’ Association has written to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), seeking an independent investigation into the island-wide power outage, the performance of power plants during the restoration of the electricity supply and capacity charges paid to power producers, questioning whether plants maintained at high cost are ready to generate electricity in an emergency. In a letter, ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika called on the PUCSL to establish the cause of the outage, examine the performance of power plants and system operators, and determine whether capacity payments to private power producers are in line with their contractual obligations.

“The blackout disrupted households, businesses, industries and essential services. When such a serious failure occurs, it is essential to independently establish what caused it, whether it could have been prevented and whether power plants and system operators acted properly when restoring the electricity supply.” The complaint identifies several power plants of which the performance should be examined, including the Kelanitissa Combined Cycle Power Plant, and the West Coast, Sobadhanavi, Upper Kotmale, Polpitiya, Ukuwela and Victoria Power Plants. It also called for an investigation into power-generating barges reportedly remaining out of operation for extended periods.

He referred to reports of delays in restarting the Kelanitissa Plant, technical problems at the West Coast and Sobadhanavi Plants, incidents involving generating units at the Upper Kotmale, Polpitiya and Ukuwela Plants, and the unavailability of a unit at the Victoria Plant due to maintenance. These details, including reported generation levels and restart times, should be checked against official operating and maintenance records, Dhammika said.

He also asked the PUCSL to examine whether private power plants received capacity payments in accordance with their contracts, including whether they are sufficiently prepared to supply electricity when required and whether deductions or penalties are warranted for failures to meet contractual conditions. “What needs to be examined is whether a plant was ready to operate, could supply electricity when requested and met the conditions set out in the relevant agreement.”

The complaint further asked the regulator to assess the impact of the outage on consumers and businesses and examine whether existing grid protection systems, emergency response plans, maintenance arrangements and procedures for restoring electricity supply are adequate.

When contacted by The Daily Morning, PUCSL Director – Communication, Jayanat Herat said that there is no preparation as of now for the PUCSL to carry out an investigation into the power outage. “They (a reference to electricity sector companies) are also investigating this. We will have to see what will happen in those investigations and then decide.”